Pluto's Largest Moon, Charon, Formed Via a 'Kiss and Capture' Event
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A new study proposes a novel 'kiss and capture' mechanism for the formation of Charon, Pluto's largest moon, challenging the previous catastrophic impact theory. Billions of years ago, Pluto and Charon collided in the outer solar system, briefly merging into a spinning dumbbell shape before separating, yet remaining gravitationally bound. This collision didn't destroy either body, preserving their structural integrity. The theory, incorporating the strength of Pluto and Charon's materials, was validated by computer simulations, accurately predicting the current binary system's orbit. This discovery challenges conventional understanding of planetary collisions and offers a new perspective on the formation of other binary systems.